Nantes players gave tribute to missing Sala

A giant tifo of Emiliano Sala was featured in the arena just before the kick off of the Nantes game, the player went missing last January 21.

Nantes players wore shirts bearing the name of former team-mate Emiliano Sala during their first match since the Argentine striker went missing.

It can be recalled that Sala and pilot David Ibbotson were on board a light aircraft that disappeared over the Channel Islands on 21 January.

Emotional tributes were paid to Sala, 28, before Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Saint-Etienne in Ligue 1.

Also, a video featuring his highlights as a Nantes player was played before the game at the Stade de la Beaujoire.

Fans were visibly upset, and Argentina flags and ‘Sala’ scarves were waved in the stands.

Players from both sides wore shirts bearing a photo of Sala and the message ‘On t’aime Emi’ – which translates as ‘we love you Emi’ – during the warm-up, and wore green armbands symbolising hope during the match.

Play was stopped in the ninth minute as players and fans took part in a minute’s applause, which reduced Nantes manager Vahid Halilhodzic to tears.

Sala had completed a transfer from Nantes to Cardiff City on 19 January, two days before his flight went missing from radar when he was travelling to join his new team-mates.

As of posting, authorities has no definite lead on whereabouts of the player and his pilot.